Pathfinder Press

Dear Pathfinder Families,

It’s hard to believe we’re nearing the end of another incredible school year! One of the clearest signs? Graduation walks. We had the privilege of welcoming back our former students for one last walk through Pathfinder. What an honor it was to see these seniors—so grown up and ready for their next chapter—walking our halls once more. It was a proud and heartwarming moment for all of us!

☀️ Last Call: Summer School Registration

Today, May 16, is the FINAL day to register for summer school.
If you haven’t signed up yet, don’t delay—opportunities for summer learning and enrichment are just around the corner!

📚 MAP Testing: May 19–20

We are almost finished with MAP testing—just a few more days to go! To help maintain a quiet and focused testing environment:

• Lunch visitors will not be permitted on May 19–20.

• If you're planning a lunch visit on other days, please check the visitor sign-up form and reserve a spot in advance. Space is limited by grade level.

Thank you for your understanding and support!

🏃‍♂️ Field Day – May 23

Get ready for one of the most exciting days of the year—Field Day is coming up on Thursday, May 23! Families are welcome to come and cheer from the sidelines for these fun-filled outdoor sessions. No check in at the office is required:

• Session 1: Grades K–2 | 9:00–11:30 AM

• Session 2: Grades 3–5 | 12:00–2:30 PM

📌 No office check-in is required for outdoor events.
🍽️ Note: Due to scheduling changes, lunch visitors will not be permitted on this day.

📙 Yearbooks!

Yearbooks are being distributed this afternoon. We ordered a FEW extras. They will be sold on a first come, first serve basis in the office for $25 (cash only) starting May 19.

Thank you, families, for your ongoing support as we wrap up another memorable year at Pathfinder. Please stay tuned for end-of-year updates.

Dr. Bohn & Dr. Miller

Our final days of MAP testing are coming up next week! Please help your child do their best by ensuring they arrive on time each day, well-rested and ready to go. Thank you for your continued support!

To help maintain a quiet and focused testing environment, lunch visitors will not be permitted on certain days. If you plan to visit on a non-testing day, please be sure to check the sign-up form and reserve a spot—space is limited by grade level. We appreciate your understanding!

Platte Purchase Middle School (PPMS) is excited to welcome their incoming 6th graders on May 21st as PPMS hosts its annual 5th Grade Step-Up Day! During the school day, 5th graders will visit the middle school for a fun and informative experience all about 6th grade, and get a glimpse of what life at PPMS is like. This is a student-only event, so no parent participation is needed—but we can’t wait to share the highlights afterward!

One of the most anticipated days of the year is almost here—Field Day is happening on May 23! We invite families to come out and cheer on our students during their outdoor activities. No office check-in is required for outside events.

Field Day Schedule:

• Session 1: Grades K–2 | 9:00–11:30 AM

• Session 2: Grades 3–5 | 12:00–2:30 PM

📌 Please note: Due to various schedule changes, lunch visitors will not be allowed on this day. Thank you for your understanding—we can’t wait to see you there!

Our weekly attendance numbers are in, and we’re setting our sights on exceeding the district goal of 90%! Let’s pull together and make sure Pathfinder has the best attendance in the district.

We know you’ve got this, Pirates—let’s show up strong and make it happen!

Several athletic camps are available this summer for our students. Please see the fliers/registration forms linked below. Note that the grade will be the grade your child is entering in the 2025-26 school year.

• Girls Basketball (2025-26 Grades 4-8): June 17-18 (Click here to register)
• Swimming (2025-26 Grades 4-8 & 9-12): July 14-17
• Baseball (2025-26 Grades 3-5 & 6-7): June 16 (Grades 3-5th) and June 17 (Grades 6-7th) (Click here to register by June 2)
• Boys Basketball (2025-26 Grades 4-6, 7-9): June 2-5, 2025 (Register by May 27)
• Golf (2025-26 Grades 9-12): June 9-13 and July 28-August 1, 2025
• Soccer (2025-26 Grades K-8, 9-12): June 23-27, 2025 (9-12th grades) & June 23-25, 2025 (K-8th grades) (Register by June 6)
• Softball (2025-26 Grades 6-8): May 22, 2025 (Click here to register)
• Tennis (2025-26 Grades 9-12 Beginner): June 5-6, 2025 (Click here to register)
• Tennis (2025-26 Grades 9-12 Varsity Prep): June 9-10, 2025 (Click here to register)
• Tennis (2025-26 Grades K-3 & 4-5 Introductory): June 17-18, 2025 (Click here to register)
• Volleyball (2025-26 Grades 7-8): June 23-24, 2025 (Register by May 28)

We are offering a variety of STEM centered summer camps for students in 1st-5th grade that will focus on problem solving skills, STEM exploration, and hands-on learning. Camps will be half days and be held at Compass Elementary or Barry Elementary.

We will be offering the following classes...

• Bricks4Kidz--World of Imagination LEGO Camp
• Mad Science--Brixology
• Mad Science--Eureka! The Inventor's Camp
• Mad Science--NASA! Journey to Outer Space
• Mad Science--Secret Agent Lab
• Mad Science--Rockin Robots!
• Mad Science--Spatastic
• Mad Science--The Wright Stuff

For a more detailed description of what each class will entail, the cost per camp, and the schedule, please visit our website LINKED HERE! To enroll for a camp, go to our website, navigate to "Youth Programs" on the left, and select the camp you are interested in!

Thursday, May 29 will be our last day of school, and will be a 3-hour early dismissal for students.

Click here for a link to next school year's calendar.

Parents of existing Kindergarten through 11th grade students: If you haven't already done so, please complete online re-enrollment forms and electronic proof of residency by Tuesday, May 27, via your PowerSchool Parent Portal Account and clicking on the "Returning Student Registration 2025-26" link via the left-hand navigation. If you need assistance, please contact your child's school.

Please note: This must be done via a browser, not on the Parent Portal app. If using your phone, please turn your phone horizontally.

We are thrilled to announce exciting developments at Great Beginnings for the 2025-26 school year! We are expanding our Great Beginnings Preschool offerings to include both full and 1/2 day options and will now be open 5 days a week at the following locations:

• District Education Center (998 Platte Falls Rd, Platte City)
• Barry Elementary (2001 NW 87th Terr, Kansas City)
• Pathfinder Elementary (1951 NW 87th Terr, Kansas City)

Enrollment for the 2025-26 school year will open on April 1, 2025, via a form posted on our District and Great Beginnings websites. Spots for preschool students will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Be sure to reserve your spot early by completing the interest form online.

Priority will be given to students living within our district boundaries or students of Platte County School District employees, but preschool will be open to children living outside of our district boundaries if spots are available. Spots will be filled with out-of-district students after May 1.

• Tuition for Great Beginnings Preschool is $45/day for full day; $25/day for 1/2 days.
• Families qualifying for free/reduced priced lunch will be tuition-free.
• Tuition reduction may be available if grant monies are received.

We look forward to this exciting new chapter and are eager to share these opportunities with you!

Platte County School District is excited to announce that Summer School will be held June 2-30, 2025 (please note updated dates). All Platte County R-3 students are invited to attend and continue to grow as learners throughout the summer! The purpose of PCR-3’s Summer School Program is to provide an experience that is relevant, rigorous, and engaging, based on individual learner needs, in a safe and caring environment. Click here for more information about Summer School at PCR-3.

• Parents of existing students currently in grades PreK-12th: Enroll for 2025 Summer School via the Forms on PowerSchool Parent Portal (via a browser or the app). Please complete by May 16, 2025.
• Incoming Kindergarten students will be able to complete summer school registration after they complete regular enrollment. Click here for 2025-26 New Student Enrollment.

Incoming Kindergartners through incoming 5th graders…Get ready for a summer full of excitement, creativity, and discovery! Our Elementary Summer School experiences are designed around fun-filled themes like Sweet Treats, Vibrant Colors, Ocean Adventures, and Outer Space Explorations! From hands-on activities to engaging lessons, your child will explore, learn, and create in a dynamic and playful learning environment. Don’t miss out on this sweet summer adventure—enroll today!

The Board approved the following make up day plan to address our 10 inclement weather days to date this school year:

• February 13, 2025 - To be made up on Tuesday, May 27, 2025
• February 18, 2025 - To be made up on Wednesday, May 28, 2025
• February 19, 2025 - To be made up on Thursday, May 29, 2025, a 3-hour early release
• February 20, 2025 - The Board has waived this day. With this waived day, PCR-3 would still be at the 169-day calendar required to receive full salary funding from the state.

Please note, with this plan, May 23 will now be a full school day. With this make up plan, we are also shifting Summer School Dates to June 2-30, 2025.

Safety is our District's top priority. PCR-3 has a system of safety and security measures in place, including trained security staff (now at every building following the passage of the Prop C Waiver/Levy Transfer), secure entryways, ongoing monitoring, and partnership with local law enforcement.

We remind parents, staff, and students that school safety is the responsibility of the entire school community. Please follow the principle of "see something, say something." If anyone (student, parent, staff member, community member) sees or hears anything of concern, please contact the District office at (816) 858-5420 so that those concerns can be investigated. You and your child can also easily report tips on bullying, harassment, or any safety issue you're concerned about through our online Safe Schools Alert system. Every tip is immediately logged in the system and our administration is notified so that they can investigate and take appropriate action. Tips may also be submitted anonymously. Each building's website has the Safe Schools icon located within the “quick links” bar on the homepage.

We’re going to Norway, Denmark, and Sweden in Summer 2027, and you’re invited!

I am excited to tell you more about the trip we’re planning with EF Tours, our educational travel partner. Please be sure to register for this info session to be considered for this opportunity: https://rsvp.eftours.com/cxtv4gw

When students travel, they expand their knowledge of the world around them, discover more about themselves, and grow more confident. These skills are critical for creating the global citizens of tomorrow, and we would love to have your student join us on this adventure.

In this info session, we’ll talk about:

• How this opportunity will benefit your student
• What we’ll see and do on our trip
• Everything that’s included in this experience
• How your child can earn academic credit
• How we’re keeping this safe and affordable
• How to enroll on this trip (before it fills up!) during EF’s risk-free enrollment period

There are limited spots on this trip, so we would love to have you attend this meeting to learn more about this exciting opportunity! For more information contact Daria Opanasenko-Davydova at opanasenko.daria@pcr3schools.org.

The PCR-3 Treasure Chest is a stocked resource center providing food, milk, and toiletries for PCR-3 students and families in need. Qualifying families will receive a weekly form via email to sign up or can call 816-858-7001 for assistance.

Families will receive an email with approval to come to the Treasure Chest on Wednesdays from 4-6pm at the new Treasure Chest site (south side of Paxton building).

• May 19-20- MAP Testing.
• May 23- Field Day
• May 26- Memorial Day. NO SCHOOL.
• May 29- Last Day of School! 3 hr early release.

Click on the image below to access a printable Parent Calendar that includes all of our important dates, our Specials rotation, and upcoming events! We will continue to include this in subsequent issues of the Pathfinder Press at the bottom of each edition.

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The Before and After School Program available to families in the Platte County R-3 School District is Y Club. With Y Club before and after school, children in kindergarten through 5th grade will benefit from homework enrichment, physical activity, and small and large group activities with a focus on building community and youth voice and leadership. Full-time and part-time Y Club is available at each of our elementary buildings (Barry, Compass, Pathfinder, and Siegrist), along with Y Club on days when school is out of session for inclement weather, seasonal breaks, and other days off (enrollment permitting). Operating hours are each weekday from 6:30 a.m. until school begins, and again after school until 6:00 p.m. Registration will open on May 8. Click here to register.

If you have any questions about the Y Club program, please contact YMCA at (816) 360-3390.

Missing something? It might be waiting for you! Check our lost and found before it’s too late—all unclaimed items will be donated after May 29.

Order your school supplies for next school year and relax for the summer!

We are on our way to reaching our goal, but we need everyone's help to make sure our teachers get the essential tools they need to help our students succeed.

If your family has not participated, there's still time!

This safe and easy program is 100% online so there is no face-to-face selling, collecting money, or delivering products. Your child will receive a prize just for participating, and more prizes will be awarded when goals are reached. Those prizes are mailed to the school monthly.

Please help now. It really will make a difference.

You can register at www.schoolstore.net using code 361851. They can earn more great prizes when your family and friends help our school raise money, so don't forget to send the filled-out envelope back to school. Thanks for your support.

Please refer to the chart below to find your child's lunch time. Make sure to register using the link provided. We kindly ask visitors to arrive a few minutes before the scheduled lunch time and bring a government-issued ID. Visitors will be capped per grade level so please use the sign-up to ensure that there is space available. If you choose to eat school lunch, please be prepared to pay $4.05 via cash or check. Unfortunately, we are unable to charge a student's account for an adult lunch. We appreciate your understanding.

As we work to ensure a smooth and orderly end to each school day, we kindly ask that there be no student checkouts in the office after 3:25 pm. During this time, teachers are focused on important end-of-day activities, including helping students pack up, reviewing key information, and closing circles in the classroom. Late checkouts have become disruptive to this process and can also interfere with the flow of the car rider line, making dismissal less efficient for everyone. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in helping us maintain a smooth and efficient dismissal process!

K-12 Payment Center is now Linq Connect, where parents can deposit money for meal transactions. Parents can access Linq Connect through this link or when signing in to PowerSchool Parent Portal. In addition to allowing for better and faster service to students during meal times at school, the online portion of this system allows guardians to set up scheduled meal deposits or deposits to accounts when falling below a certain amount. Please be advised that 2023-24 balances will carry over to 24-25.A transaction fee will be applied based on the amount of funds added. The Fees are 3.95% of the transaction total with a $2.85 minimum to be paid by the parent/cardholder.

To set up your student's account, you'll need their student ID number, which can be found on your Parent Portal. Parents can still deposit money for meal transactions by sending payment via check or cash to their child's school.

The Platte County Health Department distributes food every 2nd Thursday of the month from 1-2:30 pm.

We want families to stay connected to all Pathfinder information. In addition, we invite you to visit our social media and platforms below.

• Like us on Facebook
• Follow us on Twitter
• Visit our Website

You can always pick up the phone and give us a call anytime. The school number is 816.436.6670. If you have a specific question for administration, please email us at bohn.anna@pcr3schools.org (Dr. Anna Bohn, Principal) or miller.emily@pcr3schools.org (Mrs. Emily Miller, Assistant Principal).

• If you haven't already, please sign up for the PowerSchool Parent Portal. Parent Portal allows parents access to class schedules, attendance, homework, grades, and will have links to meal payments and fees.
  
• Parents should receive their initial Parent Portal Access ID and Password (for each student) during registration or by calling your child's school." to "New families should receive their Parent Portal Access ID and Password (for each student) at back to school nights or by calling your child's school. If any returning families have not set up Parent Portal, please contact the school.
  
• Click here to create an account and login.
  
• Students will be able to login to Student Portal using their school email address and password.
  
• Click here for a Guide to Parent Portal.

A district communication medium is our School Messenger system that we use for phone calls and text notifications. As with any school district, PCR-3 must often contact hundreds of parents quickly for sudden changes in schedules due to emergencies, cancellation, or just important announcements.

If you have provided a cell phone number, parents can opt in to receive text alerts and messages. Simply text "YES" to 67587 (standard text messaging fees apply).

Email: bohn.anna@pcr3schools.org
Website: https://pathfinder.plattecountyschooldistrict.com/
Location: 1951 NW 87th Terrace, KCMO, MO, United States
Phone: 816-436-6670
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pathfinderelementary/
Twitter: @pathfinderelem

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